MAY RETAIL PRICES RISE BY 0.2%, LIVING COSTS INCREASE BY 0.7%

ZAGREB, June 7 (Hina) - Retail prices, including seasonal products, in May this year increased by 0.2 percent in relation to April. Without seasonal products included, the increase was 0.3 percent. Living costs in the same period increased by 0.7 percent, the Statistics Institute said on Friday. #L# Compared to May last year, retail prices in May this year rose by 1.8 percent, while living costs rose by 1.5 percent. The increase in the price of goods was caused by an increase in the price of farming products. The retail prices of farming products, including seasonal products, rose by 6.3 percent. Without seasonal products, the increase was 11.1 percent. The prices of industrial products remained mostly unchanged. The price of services rose due to an 1.5 percent increase in the price of communal services, and a 0.2 percent rise in the price of crafts, personal and transport services. The price of education, culture and entertainment services increased by 0.1 percent, while the prices of financial and other services, as well as health, social care, administrative, post and telecommunications services remained at the same level as in April. Retail prices in the first five months of this year rose by 1.9 percent, while living costs in the same period increased by 2.4 percent. The increase of living costs in May was affected mostly by an 1.7 percent increase in the price of food, a 0.4 percent rise in the price of clothing and footwear, and a 0.3 percent increase in the price of products and housing and hygiene costs. The prices of transport increased by 0.1 percent, while the prices of tobacco and drinks dropped by 0.1 percent. The costs of education, culture and entertainment products and services and administrative services remained unchanged in relation to April. (hina) rml